Sacrifices honored on Veterans Day

PORTSMOUTH — A Veterans Day ceremony Sunday morning at Goodwin Park focused on recognizing the sacrifices of those who serve and the family members who support them.

Joey Cresta

PORTSMOUTH — A Veterans Day ceremony Sunday morning at Goodwin Park focused on recognizing the sacrifices of those who serve and the family members who support them.

While this year's annual Veterans Day parade did not take place as planned due to a lack of participation, about 75 people attended the 11 a.m. ceremony held at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors monument off Islington Street. Among those who gathered were veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Nam Knights motorcycle club, the Frank E. Booma American Legion's color guard and others paying tribute to those who have fought to protect the freedom of all.

The featured speaker was Cmdr. Jim Barnes, who was assigned in May as the deputy commander of base operations for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He said he was honored to share the day with the other veterans, whether they served in the jungles of Vietnam or in times of peace.

"Because of these veterans here today, we are free," he said. "For every service member, there's a story worth telling."

Barnes' own story, and that of his family, is one of generations of service. He recalled the exploits of his grandfather, and said his own son, Ryan, has plans to enter the military. For Barnes, joining the Navy "just seemed the natural course to take," he said.

With that decision comes sacrifice. Barnes has been all over the world in his 31 years in the Navy. He said the typical assignment lasts two or three years. With each move comes an upheaval for his family, meaning finding new jobs, enrolling in new schools and making new friends.

Others in attendance told similar stories about family sacrifices. Portsmouth resident Don Capalare, 88, said the holiday brings back memories of celebrating Armistice Day with his three uncles in upstate New York, who all served in World War I. Sunday was the 65th year Capalare has attended the local Veterans Day ceremony.

Capalare's son Frank, a Vietnam era veteran, also attended Sunday's ceremony. As for Capalare, he served in the South Pacific with the Marine Corps during World War II.

"There isn't an island in the South Pacific I wasn't on," he said.

Richard Brooks, president of the city's Central Veterans Council, said that Memorial Day is a holiday to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, but there is another group that doesn't receive enough attention: the veterans who pass away long after they complete their missions.

He called attention to the veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and life-altering wounds, and the disproportionate population of homeless veterans. He also pointed to those who continue a life of service outside of the military, noting that any time an emergency strikes, a veteran is likely to be among the police and firefighters who respond.

"Sometimes all that is needed is a simple 'thank you' directed at the service member" and his or her family, Brooks said. "We should all endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they served our nation."

A number of city officials, including City Manager John Bohenko, Mayor Eric Spear and councilors Bob Lister and Chris Dwyer attended the ceremony. Spear called it a reaffirmation of the debt owed to those who served.

"You are out there between us at home and the enemy," he said. "You are the reason we are safe. You are the reason we are free. You are the reason we are secure. We here in Portsmouth will be forever in your debt."

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